Monday 15 January 2024
Guernsey is looking to support young people in the Caribbean Island of Montserrat by donating more than 30 instruments and sheet music, in an initiative supported by both of the islands' Governors.
Montserrat and the Bailiwick of Guernsey are musically linked through the family of Sir George Martin, the Beatles' producer, who lived in both Alderney and Montserrat during his life, and so it was decided to continue this link with the donation of violins, violas, cellos, clarinets, French horns and a drum kit, with accompanying accessories such as tutor books, reeds and drum sticks. Mr Martin's children Giles and Lucie are also supporting the donation.
The Guernsey Music Service has provided the instruments, which are largely made up of instruments that have been donated to them, and alongside the island's Lieutenant Governor, Lt-General Richard Cripwell, will be shipping them today [Monday 15th January 2024] with DHL. DHL have kindly agreed to cover the shipping costs to allow the donation to go ahead.
The instruments will be formally received in Montserrat by Giles and Lucie Martin and the island's Governor, Mrs Sarah Tucker, at a special event at the end of the month which has been organised to celebrate the donation and the new relationship between the islands.
Tim Wright, Head of the Guernsey Music Service, said:
'Working on this initiative with Government House and the Governor's Office in Montserrat has been an incredibly unique opportunity. We have a very strong musical education offering in Guernsey, and to be able to share that with another island which we share such a fascinating musical connection with is very exciting.
'George Martin was an inspirational producer, and many of the biggest names in music recorded at his studio in Montserrat. For he and his family to connect us with Montserrat only makes this more special, particularly as Giles produced the recent Beatles release "Now and Then" which was released in November. I am certain that the donated instruments will be well received and put to good use in showing the young people of Montserrat the power of a musical education. I am excited to develop this cultural link with Montserrat and look forward to building this relationship in the future.'
Lt Governor of Guernsey, Lt General Richard Cripwell, said:
'Guernsey has a remarkable musical pedigree, which has seen countless young people benefit from the Guernsey Music Service over the years. I am absolutely delighted that this collaboration between the island and Monserrat will see young people in Montserrat having access to similar opportunities. Congratulations and thank you to all involved in this project.'
Governor of Montserrat, Sarah Tucker, said:
'Montserrat and Guernsey are both part of the British Family, being able to link our youth together musically is something very special for Lt General Richard Cripwell and I as the respective Governors, I am very grateful to Tim and all at the Guernsey Music Service for their support and look forward to a fruitful musical partnership in the years ahead.'
The instruments are expected to take five days to arrive in Montserrat.
It is hoped by both Government House in Guernsey and the Governor's Office in Montserrat that this can be the beginning of a longer-term relationship between the two islands which focuses on supporting young people in music.
Sir George Martin bought a house in Alderney on Braye Road in the mid-1980s. He visited the island for around 30 years.
Sir George took fellow music legends to Montserrat to record in Air Studios. After the devastating volcanic eruptions he put on a concert at the Royal Albert Hall to raise funds to build the Cultural Centre in Montserrat, which today is the centre for all major events on island.
